Antique Japanese Blue & White Porcelain Tokkuri Bottle "Migigawa" 10"

Antique Japanese porcelain sake bottle (tokkuri) with cobalt kanji and brewery mark

Japan, late Meiji period (circa early–19th century)
Dimensions: 10″H × 5.5″ diameter (25.4 × 14 cm)

This antique Japanese porcelain tokkuri is formed in a classic rounded bottle shape with a narrow neck and gently flared mouth, finished in a soft, milky white glaze. The body is decorated in underglaze cobalt blue with bold calligraphic characters on one side and a circular emblem enclosing a single character on the reverse, creating a striking balance between text and form.

One side is boldly hand-painted in underglaze cobalt with vertical kanji reading 右川酒造店 "Migikawa Shuzou-ten" (Migikawa Sake Brewery), identifying the producer or establishment associated with the vessel. The reverse bears a circular emblem enclosing a large character, functioning as a shop or brewery crest rather than a decorative motif. The brushwork is confident and fluid, with natural pooling and tonal variation in the cobalt that reflects quick, practiced application rather than ornamental painting.

The underside bears underglaze blue inscriptions reading 東島製 (Higashijima-sei, “made by Higashijima”) and 長崎縣 (Nagasaki Prefecture), indicating regional manufacture or distribution through Nagasaki, a key port and ceramic center during the Meiji period. Such marks are commonly found on commercial porcelain made for food and beverage use, particularly sake vessels intended for restaurant, tavern, or brewery circulation.

With its generous scale and restrained palette, this tokkuri presents a quiet, sculptural presence well suited for display on shelving, in a tokonoma-inspired setting, or alongside other blue-and-white ceramics. It also serves as a compelling example of how functional vessels carried both visual authority and cultural meaning in 19th-century Japan.

Condition: Scattered kiln specks, surface wear, and firing imperfections consistent with age and use. Minor glaze irregularities and light staining visible; no major cracks or repairs observed.

A substantial and character-rich antique tokkuri offering strong visual impact, historical authenticity, and enduring appeal for collectors of Japanese blue-and-white porcelain or sake-related ceramics.